[Intensive care of geriatric patients in surgery]

Concomitant cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases in particular represent a considerable risk to the postoperative course in the geriatric patient.

The main aim of intensive care consists in the avoidance and treatment of systemic complications. In contrast, local surgical complications as the reason for intensive care are of secondary importance in the geriatric patient. In the postoperative phase, the main problems encountered by the geriatric patient affect the cardiovascular system and pulmonary function. Age-specific pathophysiological changes affecting the lungs and heart require prophylactic measures aimed at preventing atelectasis, bronchial pneumonia and edema. As a rule, patients of advanced age require such intensive care for one to three days.

The perioperative care of the elderly patient comprises, where possible, preoperative preparation and, postoperatively, a specific prophylactic intensive care regimen.